Volume 52 - Issue 22

March 27, 2019

RU-Pass meetings stalled with TTC, future uncertain

By Emma Sandri opt-out of ancillary fees, an extra sum of money added onto tuitionRyerson students may not have to to pay for student groups and on-pay for the RU-Pass this September campus services.as the university has not had a meet-ing with the Toronto Transit Com- “[Ryerson does] not have a fullymission (TTC) in months. executed agreement” Ryerson’s vice-provost, studentsJen McMillen said that the RU-Passagreement has been stalled as the In February, minister Merrileeuniversity waits for additional infor- Fullerton said that students wouldmation from the Ministry of Train- be unable to opt-out of paying foring, Colleges and Universities on the transit passes.Student Choice Initiative (SCI). However, as McMillen wrote to |PHOTO: ELANA EMER The SCI was a part of changes The Eyeopener, it is unclear whetherannounced by the Ontario govern- transit passes “that did not have a tory fee. tional meetings with the TTC until student work, right down to studentsment to tuition, fees and loans in fully executed agreement,” like the Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) they receive this information. themselves,” said deWever, notingJanuary. It would allow students to RU-Pass, will be made a manda- president Maklane deWever said he the possibility students could no lon- doesn’t believe the “democratically “Erasing the RU-Pass” ger afford school. elected” RU-Pass will be a manda- The RSU campaigned for students tory fee. to vote yes to implementing the tran- In February, Ryerson communi- The RU-Pass would give stu- sit pass. cations told The Eyeopener that “Ry- dents unlimited access to buses, McMillen said that it still needs to erson and the TTC are engaged in subways and streetcars in Toronto, be determined whether or not the initial conversations related to the for a fee of $280 per semester for pass needs to be finalized by a specific RU-Pass.” each student. date to qualify for mandatory student

Course materials According to McMillen, the uni- “It’s not only erasing the RU-Pass, fees in September. versity is waiting to schedule addi- but it’s erasing layers and layers of With files from Sherina Harris.

Rye had hours to prep for Brampton, law cuts

leaving you broke? By Sherina Harris

Ryerson University’s president said

this spring, Lachemi said. Ryerson is also poised to be in a competition for federal funding for Nov. 22 with a statement from the president. The email explained that the law school did not need govern- he found out about the provincial their Cyber Secure Catalyst. The fed- ment funding to proceed, as it had government’s cancellation of the eral budget, released March 19, said already been approved by three ac- Brampton campus expansion and law three post-secondary affiliated cyber- creditation bodies. school just 40 minutes and two hours, security centres will receive $80 mil- “Ryerson will continue to work in respectively, before the government lion starting in 2020-21. good faith with the provincial gov- made the announcement public. Lachemi said it was significant to ernment in an effort to offer OSAP- “It’s a short notice and of course be named in the budget. eligible legal education,” the email

OPEN the first thing I [did was] to share it He also said Ryerson is looking statement read. with my team, administration team to external partnerships—not just On Nov. 26, days after the initial and communication team to make with the federal government, but news broke, Lachemi told The Eye

LIBRARY sure we [had] a plan in place to in- also from the private sector—to Ryerson was “not giving up on the form our community to the break- fund the projects. philosophy behind the law school.” ing news,” said Ryerson president Lachemi found out about the Ryerson provost Michael Benar- Mohamed Lachemi on the news. province’s decision to not make Ry- roch previously told The Eye the law erson’s law school eligible for the school hoped to have 30-50 out of the Ontario Student Assistance Program 150 student class whose tuition was “[I] appreciated the personal (OSAP) on Nov. 20 while in Europe. highly subsidized by scholarships. heads up” In a statement to The Eye the af- He also said Ryerson had already ternoon after the news about the law received one private donation for the In the case of the Brampton cam- school broke on Nov. 21, Ryerson law school. It is expected to open with pus, Ryerson Lachemi said he got said they were “very disappointed to its first class of students in fall 2020. a call from the deputy minister of learn about the ministry’s decision.” With files from Alexandra Holyk At eCampusOntario’s new Open training, colleges and universities An email was sent to students on and Mina Alam 40 minutes before the public cancel- Library, you’ll find high quality lation on Oct. 23. He also was sent a draft press release via email. resources in key subject areas “I was anticipating the news and appreciated the personal heads up I that you can use or adapt for received,” Lachemi wrote in an email to an undisclosed mailing list that free. Print a copy or save on night, Freedom of Information (FOI) results obtained by The Eye show. your device to read on-the-go! He said Ryerson would focus on developing plans for the projects under construction in Brampton. These included an Innovation Hub, cybersecurity programming and Browse the open library now at Chang School courses. Presently, Ryerson is offering two openlibrary.ecampusontario.ca Chang School courses at Brampton’s City Hall. Ryerson will also be hold- ing a seminar about cybersecurity |ILLUSTRATION: MATTHEW SAUDER NEWS 3

Ryerson could get more gross

worn Eyeopener couch. washrooms and other public sur- “With infections, everything is The locations where the Petri faces are cleaned on campus. The context-dependent,” he said. But Jes- dishes developed the most colonies administration did not respond to sica Mudry, an assistant professor and were the SLC chair and the air in- The Eye’s request for comment in health policy expert in the Faculty of side the hand dryer. There were time for publication. Community Services, said university several growths in the elliptical and With cuts to post-secondary uni- policies do not take into consider- classroom dishes as well. versities looming ahead, Ryerson ation that health is not a binary. While the Petri dishes look su- will be reducing funding for different per gross to the untrained eye, campus services—and cleanliness and “When you’re told to cut, you Joseph McPhee, a microbiology sanitation could be cut. expert at Ryerson, said seeing bac- Two years ago, faculty members have to make tough choices” teria might indicate a problem but protested an attempt at reducing it does not constitute one without the work done by janitorial staff in Change to the system would further investigation. offices, a decision that would have need to be systemic because policies McPhee, who has been work- limited the number of times custo- in place do not take into account ing in the field for 20 years, said dial staff cleaned garbage bins. that someone may not be health- he suspects many of the bacteria And after the provincial govern- presenting, she said. growths are staph bacteria; which is ment announced a 10 per cent cut “If someone shows up to school very commonly found on the skin. to tuition fees, the administration even if they have [a] virus but theySome of the weird stuff growing on campus surfaces |PHOTO: ELANA EMER “They’re bacteria that can cause seri- said that some courses might be really want to write the exam and ous infections but they’re also bacte- cancelled and fees for international not have to retake it in August andBy Raneem Alozzi frequently used surfaces on campus. ria that are really common.” students may go up. then other people fall ill, it’s not re- We swabbed elevator buttons, the “I think the administration is act- ally the fault of the students,” saidRyerson is gross. Every time I heat inside of a hand dryer as well as the “You have less autonomy over ing in good faith but when you’re Mudry. “It’s systematic because theup food in the microwave the flavour air it blew out and a student-loved your health” told to cut, you have to make tough school made it really hard to retakeis different, and we’re running out of body-shaped chair—on the beach choices,” said McPhee. an exam,” she said.library study space because desks are floor—all in the Student Learning “There are bacteria literally ev- Administration did not respond McPhee said he thinks thereoccupied by ambiguous funk. Centre (SLC). We also tested the erywhere so you don’t always know to The Eye’s request for comment on should be legislation in any public To test the cleanliness and bac- buttons and handles on an ellipti- that what you’re seeing is a prob- whether or not cuts would be made to setting surrounding minimal levelsterial growth rate on some of our cal in the Ryerson Athletic Centre, a lem,” said McPhee. However, he custodial services. of cleanliness.campus surfaces, The Eyeopener’s microwave in the Podium Building, said that if surfaces were cleaned on For most healthy people, bacterial But on campuses “you’re relyingnews team bought a children’s Agar a classroom seat in the engineering a more regular basis, the Petri dishes growths are less of a problem, said heavily on everybody else to keep thekit from Amazon. Armed with our building, an antibacterial Purell dis- would have fewer colonies. McPhee. But in a university setting, space healthy,” said Mudry. “You haveinstinctive curiosity as journalists, penser in Kerr Hall South, a library The Eyeopener asked Ryer- we don’t often know who has lower less autonomy over your health.”we set out to swab test 10 public and keyboard and, finally, our well- son about how often classrooms, immune levels. With files from Sherina Harris

Students say mental health services need improvement

By Madison Wong that long to get the help I needed,” she said.Students at Ryerson University Following the news of a studentthink mental health services on cam- dying by suicide at U of T, their ad-pus need to be altered in order to ministration is facing backlash forimprove accessibility and increase its lack of resources and accommo-awareness about services. dations for students struggling with Arielle Aplin-Siegel, a third-year poor mental health.environment and urban sustainabilitystudent, said the process of booking a “I certainly am in the darkcounselling appointment is difficult. about the extent of what is “When you walk in to make anappointment, you can’t make an im- available”mediate appointment to speak tosomeone in person. You can only do President Mohamed Lachemi saidthat over the phone, and it isn’t even Ryerson strives to do their best inguaranteed that you will get an ap- fostering an environment that is sup-pointment that day,” she said. “It was portive of mental well-being.not easy to use in my experience, if “In the last several years, we have |PHOTO: ELANA EMERanything, the stress of it made me feel made a financial commitment to ex-worse,” said Aplin-Siegel. pand mental health services includ- Likewise, Hannah Joosse, a sec- ing adding more full-time counsel- Brandon Smith, the manager Joosse said she was hoping Ryerson ling services and other mental healthond-year image arts student, said it lors and launching a new care pilot of Ryerson’s residence and living, could help her access support abroad initiatives for students, Aplin-Siegellooks like many students are trying project [such as] care groups, online said they’ve created a new position ahead of time. said she does not think students areto access counselling services but it tools and one-on-one counselling,” that focuses on mental health and aware of them.seems impossible to get into. said Lachemi. well-being through one-on-one “I certainly am in the dark about According to Joosse, after reaching He also highlighted the Student connections. “If anything, the stress of it the extent of what is available andout to counselling services, it took Health Assistance and Resilience Pro- “[The news from U of T] is some- made me feel worse” wish it was advertised more, or moreher three weeks to meet with some- gram (SHARP) as a student resource. thing we would discuss in our week- effectively at least,” she said.one who could evaluate and place her SHARP is a program designed ly staff meeting to ensure RAs are In 2016, The Eyeopener reportedon the waiting list to see a counsellor. to help students manage their well- aware of what’s happened...to com- “Based on the way their own men- that students could face up to a three- She was told she probably would being and help them create a plan on municate in their weekly community tal health services are run, I’m not month waiting time to see a counsel-not be able to receive one-on-one “healthy lifestyle changes,” one “that meetings,” said Smith in an email. holding my breath...my experience lor on campus.counselling for another semester is fun and achievable.” Joosse said she is “vaguely aware” with them has been less than great as Ryerson’s counselling services didor two. “We continue to do whatever it of any resources and has never un- I still haven’t been able to see a coun- not respond in time for publication “I wasn’t in crisis, but it was dis- takes to minimize the pressure on derstood exactly what they do. sellor,” she said. to a request for comment regardingheartening to hear that it would take our students,” said Lachemi. Set to go on exchange next year, Though Ryerson offers counsel- wait times and resources. 4 EDITORIAL

Adrian “Space samurai” Bueno

They’ll take a mile

Biz and Tech Izabella “Drowned” Balcerzak Premila “DS’a” D’Sa Rhea “Jailbroke the Tesla” Singh Communities Khaled “I’m” Badawi tracted jobs where you don’t know Lidia “Aries season y’all” Abraha Ruhama “Burning” Dechassa By if you’ll be employed in a month. Zoe “Up” Statiris Jacob While we often assume freelance Editor-in-Chief Fun Taylor “Burning” Ball Dubé work is usually done by media and Jacob “Cool Professor” Dubé Nathaniel “No more free tickets” Laura “Up” Dalton arts majors, a 2016 study found Crouch Matthew “For” Sauder that the most in-demand sectors News Hana “You” TanasijevicMy time at The Eyeopener is almost for freelance jobs were medical and Raneem “Tyler’s grandma” Alozzi Copy Editor and Isabelle “Baby” Espaldonover, which ultimately means my health, education, project manage- Sherina “Covered in bacteria” Harris Circulation Manager Richard “Congrats on your cooltemporary work contract is also up. ment, computer and IT, and ac- Emma “Civil innocence” Sandri Igor “Dreamhouse” Magun new job” Anstley While I’ve enjoyed all the perks counting and finance. Eli “Kyle” Savageand prestige that comes with run- The shift is typically caused by Photo Interns Connor “Cold Scoops” Thomasning a campus newspaper out of a companies trying to save a few Alanna “Please respond” Rizza Alexander “Sup” Moore Julia “Master Editor” Mlodzikbuilding with wonky air condition- bucks, and it’s working. To a hun- Celina “Bo$$ lady” Gallardo Alexandra “Student cards” Holyk Karly “Down to edit” Cywinking, the deadline of my year-long gry student, a fickle job is better Elana “Filminist” Emer Joseph “Talks to Tyler” Casciaro Lyba “Socialism isn’t dead” Mansoorterm has been looming over me. than no job at all. Jezreel Chloe “Van Gogh” Castillo Zach “Hate eats Froyo” Roman It often feels like I’m pushing a The same could be said of a hun- Online Libaan “Garbajosa” Osmanboulder up a hill that ends in a steep gry journalist. Skyler “RRJ mom” Ash General Manager Thomas “No worries bro” Debostcliff—get the work in, and still end We shouldn’t just be happy tak- Bryan “Dunks on Emma” Meler Liane “Hopped up” McLarty Patrick “On the fence” Tallonup in a free fall. ing whatever we can get. If all Heidi “It’s fine Usha George” Lee There’s no other way it could work is headed towards being this Features Advertising Manager Emily “otranscribe suckswork here; the production cycle of precarious, think about what it’ll Sarah “Five on it” Krichel Chris “BEER?” Roberts sometimes” Moorea student newspaper demands for look like in a the future if nobodynew blood and fresh ideas, and I’m pushes back. Arts and Life Design Director This week’s mug is plant-eating bugs.more than happy to step aside and In a few months, I’ll be start- Tyler “Shrek chic” Griffin J.D. “Chuckles softly” Mowatring in my successor. But what’s dis- ing a new job. While I’m still very The Eyeopener is Ryerson’s largest andheartening is that’s the way it works excited for the work I’ll be able to Sports Contributors only independent student newspaper. Iteverywhere else, too. do there, it’s still temporary. I can Christian “What’s that?” Ryan Sofia “Pizza Swiper” Ramirez is owned and operated by Rye Eye Pub- Our features section this week keep myself busy for a while, but Peter “A KNIFE!” Ash Julia “Do it again” Mastroianni lishing Inc., a non-profit corporationdives into the transition of jobs— I will eventually be met with the Heidi “Relaxing waterfall sounds” owned by the students of Ryerson. Ourespecially those available to stu- cliff’s edge once again. Media Lee offices are on the second floor of thedents and recent graduates. It’s And frankly, I don’t know how Parnika “Cutting season” Raj Kashish “Honorary news-lady” Hura Student Campus Centre. You can reachmoving from full-time positions many more times I’ll be able to Katie “Turnip” Swyers Madison “Messy draft” Wong us at 416-979-5262, at theeyeopener.comwith benefits to freelanced, con- handle that. Pernia “*coughs*” Jamshed Emma “We love you” Moore or on Twitter at @theeyeopener.

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Niagara Falls reapplies for Ryerson research centre

When Ryerson applied in 2015, their application was rejected. Now the city of Niagara Falls is taking another shot at the partnershipBy Heidi Lee

The city of Niagara Falls submitted nerships and attempting to better

a second proposal to implement a match the FedDev application so theRyerson-partnered research innova- proposal would be successful.tion zone in the area in December,according to Ryerson Universitypresident Mohamed Lachemi. “The Downtown area in Niagara Lachemi said if Niagara’s proposal Falls is pretty empty”is successful, the university willwork with the city of Niagara Falls Over the past eight years, Ryer-to implement the model of Ryer- son’s Toronto-based DMZ assistedson’s Digital Media Zone (DMZ) in 383 tech startups by providing coach- |IMAGE: ADRIAN BUENOthe area. ing, access to customers, resources Ryerson submitted a statement of and community, DMZ director saidintent in 2015 to FedDev Ontario, via email.a program that supports business These companies grow their busi- ity of life which makes it a good en- total, catering to different fields and Olivia Gillespie, a first-year earlyand innovation developments in the nesses and hire new staff. As a re- vironment for young entrepreneurs research areas including media, sci- childhood education student whoseprovince, but FedDev turned down sult, almost 4,000 jobs were created, to thrive,” said Diodati. “Hopefully, ence and engineering. hometown Ridgeway, Ont., is 30the application. Snobar said. our support to their entrepreneurial The mayor said he is looking for- minutes away from Niagara Falls, “The Downtown area in Niagara Diodati said the key right now is ideas will allow them to establish an ward to the city’s potential partner- said she wants people to recognizeFalls is pretty empty,” said Lachemi. to “get started.” attachment to the city.” ship with Ryerson as it is a good op- the city as more than just its famous“We hope to build a hub that can “Once we have the innovation hub The project would cost $33 mil- portunity to redevelop downtown waterfall landmark.bring energy, collaboration and op- established, we will be able to attract lion and the city would contribute Niagara Falls. “The Falls is a nice tourist attrac-portunities for youths and entrepre- like-minded institutions and compa- $4.2 million, according to a 2017 tion, but it would be better if theneurs in the region.” nies around the world,” he said. report on the Niagara Falls-Ryerson government is able to industrialize Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati The mayor said the new zone will Innovation Hub Proposal. “It would be better if the the area,” she said.said the city has been keeping in reg- be located in downtown Niagara The city would also provide Ry- government is able to Like Gillespie, Ankit Sehgal, aular contact with the federal Ministry Falls, near the city hall. erson with the support, location and industrialize the area” first-year public health and safetyof Economic Development and the He also said he is expecting the affordable accommodation while student from Fonthill, Ont., said theproposal is still waiting for approval zone to start small and eventually the university would decide what falls is a great place to live.from the federal government. expand organically without harming type of innovation the Niagara Falls Students who grew up around the Seghal, whose hometown is 15 In 2017, Diodati told The Eyeopen- the natural habitat of the city. zone would focus on. Niagara Falls area said they are also minutes away from the falls, said heer that Ryerson was firming up part- “Niagara Falls has a desirable qual- Ryerson currently has 10 zones in hoping to see the city evolve. hopes the city will grow in the future.

New exec allegedly mocked poll clerk RSU hasn’t lobbied Rye on free speechBy Emma Sandri By Mina Alam part of an overall “attack on universities.” curity was advised of the instance, ac- and Sherina Harris Although he said the RSU is focusedThe newly-elected vice-president stu- cording to the report. on mobilizing students against changesdent life and events was accused of Wiggins said that he is appealing the The Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) has to tuition and loans, deWever said he“mocking the speech pattern” of a Ryer- CRO’s decision but hasn’t heard any- not taken steps to lobby Ryerson Uni- agrees with the sentiment of the motion.son Students’ Union (RSU) polling clerk thing back on the appeal. versity on its free speech policy.during this year’s elections, according to “I have had very little conversation “We’re focusing most of ourthe report by the Chief Returning Offi- Security was advised of the with the students union about this, and lobbying efforts right now on cutscer (CRO). I’m always happy to have dialogue about While no candidates received the ten instance, according to the report what they think about,” said Ryerson to [student loans]”demerit points needed to be disquali- University president Mohamed Lachemi.fied, incoming executive Joshua Wig- The CRO is responsible for validat- “We engaged the rest of the commu- “I don’t think it’s proper for thegins and his slate, Refresh, were given ing all nomination forms and announc- nity in consultation and discussion about provincial government to mandate intwo demerit points after Wiggins alleg- ing the winning candidates of an RSU the statement on freedom of expression what should be independent institu-edly mocked a clerk on two occasions, election and must release a report fol- including of students,” university presi- tions,” he said.according to the report. lowing elections which details demerit dent Mohamed Lachemi said, noting the Lachemi said whether the RSU agrees In a statement provided to The points, disqualifications and any secu- vice-provost, students held two town with the government’s mandate or not,Eyeopener, Wiggins said that his interac- rity incidents. halls with students in February. it’s important for Ryerson to have ation with the polling clerk was “friendly The same day as the alleged incident, freedom of expression statement.and respectful.” Wiggins was reported to the CRO for “What should be independent In August, Ford announced a direc- The head polling clerk at the Ted not adhering to the eight-metre rule, institutions” tive that Ontario colleges and universi-Rogers School of Management (TRSM) whereby candidates are not allowed to ties must comply with certain criteriareported the incident to the CRO and have election materials within eight At the RSU’s Semi-Annual General for their free speech policy.was informed they should “not hesitate metres of a polling station. Meeting (SAGM) in November 2018, “This policy would require schools toin calling security,” read the report. Se- According to the report, Wiggins a motion was passed that the Ryerson police protests on campus and potential- came to the CRO’s office and denied Students’ Union (RSU) should reject the ly threaten students...with disciplinary mocking the clerk but admitted to not free speech mandate introduced by On- measures,” the SAGM motion said. respecting the eight-metre rule. tario Premier Doug Ford. The motion required the RSU to oppose No other instances were reported “We’re looking into it [as] something the government’s mandate and demand about the Refresh slate at TRSM for the that we care about,” said RSU president Ryerson administration refuse to imple- rest of the elections. Maklane deWever. “We’re focusing ment restrictions on the right to protest. The Refresh slate candidates won all most of our lobbying efforts right now Ryerson has been revising its free speech six executive and several director po- on cuts to [student loans],” he said. policy since August. The university did sitions for the 2019-20 RSU elections He said presently the RSU hasn’t taken not move forward with the updated policy held early March. The slate will offi- action to lobby Ryerson on free speech. in November after student protests haltedIMAGE COURTESY: PIXABAY cially take office on May 1. However, he said the speech directive is the meeting where it was to be voted on. 6 ARTS & LIFE

Women directors leading in Ryerson’s film festival

By Rhea Singh their decisions will shape the future she faces throughout dinner. of the industry. When discussing Dinner with TheThis year’s Ryerson University Film “Seeing how it is at Ryerson is French, Kim said, “it’s a really inter-Festival (RUFF) promises to bring comforting knowing that we are esting and great story we can tell,more representation to women in going to be the ones making those especially with our program havingfilm, with more than half of the decisions in the long run,” she said. very little people of colour.”films being directed by students “If it’s changing now, we hope that it The process of creating films forwho identify as women. carries on after we graduate.” RUFF starts all the way in third year RUFF is Ryerson’s annual film Glassman’s crew was made up of 56 with the production of the scripts,festival showcasing thesis films of per cent women and 66 per cent peo- leading to scouting and casting infourth-year-film students. This ple of colour. Like all films submitted, September of their fourth year. Cur-year, RUFF is taking place May 3-4. it was entirely self-funded. rently, most of the students workingWhat sets RUFF 2019 apart is that “If there are more females and di- on RUFF films are in the editing15 of the 22 films being featured at versity in the industry and our films, stage of their production.the festival are directed by women. we have better chances of winning Director and underwater videog- However, diversity in the role of [awards] and better chances of mak- rapher Ala Lysyk focuses her film,director isn’t the only change made ing ourselves known,” she said. Against the Current, on three femalein this year’s festival. Much of the The industry has seen a recent in- divers that work and create bondswritten, shooting and production crease in female directors and pro- with pregnant female tiger sharkswork are being led by women, ac- ducers. According to their website, at a sanctuary. Members of Lysyk’s Director Rachel Glassman (left) and producer Jean Kim (right) | PHOTO: ELANA EMERcording to fourth-year-film student last year’s Toronto International crew were 60 per cent female. WithRachel Glassman. Film Festival had 121 films selected Lysyk’s thesis film focusing on sex- female sharks that were pregnant.” wanted to happen. But it turned out that were directed or co-directed ism in the film industry through What Lysyk noticed when speak- to be a fantasy because it wasn’t the by women, a 33.6 per cent increase a visual parallel, it also highlights ing to Cristina Zenato, one of the way that people were treated, espe- “We hope that it from its previous year. three professional scuba diver’s three subjects of Lysyk’s film, is cially women,” said Lysyk. carries on after we Jean Kim, who worked with Glass- skills and bonds with the sharks, that over the eight to nine years that In regards to this year’s RUFF, graduate” man on False Spring as producer, is who were not valued because of she’s been with the sharks, no me- Lysyk said that women in film want also seeing a change in both the festi- their gender. dia outlet has given her any atten- to support other women, adding val and the larger film industry. tion for her experience and work. that “women are going out there and Glassman is the director of False “It wasn’t specifically noticeable Opportunity is key “She feeds them, she’s working with making their voices heard becauseSpring, one of the films playing at until we were in our fourth year for female directors them for over nine hour days, and they want to showcase what theyRUFF. Described as a “tale of mu- when more than half of the films she knows their names all by heart haven’t been able to show people.”sic and madness,” False Spring takes submitted are being made by female to showcase what and their personalities,” said Lysyk. Lysyk also gives credit to femaleviewers on the journey of an older directors,” said Kim. they’re capable of Shark Week, BBC and other big professors in the film program forcouple dealing with loss on their Kim is also the co-producer of companies have been to the sanc- pushing a more inclusive and di-desolate farm in the late 19th cen- two other films that are part of Coming to Ryerson’s film pro- tuary with their own experts, but verse academic landscape.tury. The film depicts the discrepan- RUFF this year, Dinner with The gram, Lysyk said she wasn’t sure never given the professional female Opportunity is key for female di-cies in their grief and how both pro- French and Rowanberries. what path she wanted to take for scuba divers any recognition for rectors to showcase what they’re ca-cess it differently—all shot in black While Rowanberries tells the story her thesis film. Once she saw a post their expertise, according to Lysyk. pable of, said Glassman.and white to drive home the idea of of a mother and daughter and the about a tiger shark sanctuary , she Lysyk wanted to become a scuba “The fact that we have that herea world that is desolate, sad and de- sacrifices a mother has to make, Din- knew immediately that she wanted diver when she was eight, and be- [at RUFF] and we have women invoid of colour. ner with The French deals with the to make a documentary on it. “I came an instructor at 18. “In be- positions of power, such as directors Glassman said the film program racism a black girl faces when meet- went there for the first time last tween that time, there was a shift of and producers, means that we areis very encouraging in regards to ing her white boyfriend’s family for year, I realized it wasn’t just a sanc- reality and perception of this being going to be making those decisionsinclusivity because students know the first time, and the subtle racism tuary for sharks but specifically for an idea, concept and reality that I down the line.”

Anime fans find their community North, the largest anime convention in Toronto. Events typically feature group viewings of popular anime Wong remembers how he used to be embarrassed to talk about his anime obsession in his first year. “IBy Adrian Bueno quets of flowers, white tablecloths the Maid Cafe has been Ryerson series like Boku no Hero Academia would definitely say I was worried and a menu featuring Japanese fa- Anime Club’s main attraction for and discussions about anime like about being labeled a weeb. A lot ofButlers sporting bunny ears and vourites like onigiri, a triangular years, but at its heart the club is still Code Geass—another favourite series my friends weren’t really into it, sobow ties politely lead a group of rice ball, or dango, sweet skewered focused on being a place for Ryer- among the group—and socializers to I was just hiding to fit in,” he says.patrons into the Thomas Lounge dumplings, await the customers. son’s biggest anime fans to come to- help open members up. According to Urban Dictionary,of the Student Campus Centre. A It’s a dining experience like no gether as a community. a weeb is “anyone obsessed withserver dressed in a maid outfit greets other, and it’s one of the many en- “Usually, members of Anime Club “My family even calls Japanese culture to the point wherethe group, cheerfully calling each of tertaining events put on by Ryer- are pretty introverted people...it’s it is annoying.” However, even withthem “Ojou-sama,” a Japanese term son’s Anime Club. hard to find friends around campus,” me a weeb” the derogatory connotations of thethat’s interpreted as master. Bou- Taking months of preparation, says Diane Tchoi, the club’s presi- word, the club has chosen to em- dent. “Anime Club is one way for The club even has a roster of mas- brace the term. them to meet like-minded people.” cots representing each faculty, led “If someone [outside of anime cir- Beyonce Angelica Cao, the club’s by Rye-Chan, a “bubbly” and “cute” cles] called me a weeb, I’d honestly vice-president of promotion, credits blonde schoolgirl with ram horns. probably just laugh,” says Calvin the club with giving her a sense of They created the mascots as original Huang, the club’s vice-president of belonging. In her first year, Cao says characters to represent them, much finance. “We call each other weebs. she never wanted to go to school. like Eggy the Ram represents the We’re not ashamed about it. My After finding the club, she now greater Ryerson community. family even calls me a weeb.” looks forward to the events, and However, being a little too ob- “The meaning has kind of shifted says she has has opened up socially. sessed with a culture can rub some as people started to embrace it. For “[Starting off as a member] I people the wrong way. For instance, me, it’s just people who love anime,” wouldn’t open up as much, but you some online communities, and even says Tchoi. start to see that lots of people are in other anime groups, have associ- According to the club’s execs, the the same boat as you,” says Tchoi. ated anime fans with stereotypes of Anime community continues to Other events the club hosts in- being socially different and off-put- grow, and they’re excited to see how clude an orientation, a year-end ting. The term “weeaboo” has been the club progresses. “It really makesMembers of Ryerson Anime Club at their 2019 Maid Cafe COURTESY DIANE TCHOI event and a group meetup at Anime thrown around in abusive ways. the effort worth it,” says Tchoi. ARTS & LIFE 7

Mass Exodus designers tell us about their lines

Graduating fashion students are busy preparing their capstone collections for the 31st annual Mass Exodus showcase on April 6

Fei Fei Li Cassidy LeBlond Emily Paulic

Raised from birth by her grandmother, Li’s collection for Inspired by the colourful world of Wes Anderson films, Cas- When Emily Paulic moved on from practicing dance—some-Mass Exodus channels her idea of the ‘ideal granddaughter.’ A sidy LeBlond’s collection takes a playful and sustainable twist thing she’d done her entire life—she began making costumehuge part of Asian culture is based on social status, Li says. She on officewear. Drawn to Anderson’s colour palette, LeBlond designs. Now, Paulic has created a dancewear collection forwanted to recreate the aura of confidence her grandmother thought it would be fun to interpret and introduce it in a pro- teenage dancers. Her line incorporates painting and embroi-holds. As opposed to being culturally inspired by traditional fessional setting. The workwear line draws from Anderson’s dery to give it more of a personal touch. She also took inspira-dress, Li’s collection takes after the simple and timeless gar- The Grand Budapest Hotel directly, with some designs named af- tion from The Secret Garden. Paulic was drawn to its themesments her grandmother sports, with elegant patterns and bold ter characters like “the Zero,” “the Agatha” and “the Gustave.” of youth and innocence but also the mystery of a garden thatshades. “Everyone who wears my luxury outerwear will have a LeBlond’s line promises to “bring some colour to the fluores- creates an alternate world. “That’s how I felt in the studio. Itmore powerful feeling in them.” Photo by Eli Savage cently lit world of cubicles and coffee.” Photo by Elana Emer was my own secret dance studio.” Photo by Elana Emer

IMA grad photographs Toronto’s quirkiest couches

By Premila D’Sa

For most students, final year proj-

ects are something to do and bedone with. This wasn’t the case for AdamCoish. For seven years now, the To-ronto-based photographer has beencarrying on with a project he startedin his final year as a Ryerson imagearts photography student, takingphotos of people on their couches. That’s it. Really. The idea cameto Coish when he was looking fora final project idea for his advancedportraiture class. He was sitting on acouch when he realized how manystories he had attached to that onepiece of furniture—he wanted tocapture that. John Webster photographed for Adam Coish’s couch series, which has been criticized for featuring predominantly caucasian people | PHOTO: ADAM COISH “I don’t consider myself to be themost creative photographer, I don’t “I don’t like to just set up and just when there’s an animal involved always get it right. pen when I know it’s right.”think this concept was overly cre- treat it like business, I like to really in the couch shoot,” he said. “So “Sometimes I get stuck in want- But as the project develops, soative,” he said. “But I think as the get to break down the barriers by I’m always on the lookout and it’ll ing something so specific or so sym- will he. He’s been trying to addressseries has grown it’s become a bit just asking them questions and get- pique my interest more if I know metrical within the shot that I go for a specific problem pointed out by amore interesting and intriguing.” ting to hear a bit about them.” there’s a pet involved, but by no that one but the expression may be BlogTO commentator—the diver- Since starting the project seven Then he takes a gander at the means is it a requirement.” not as nice as the other ones,” said sity of his subjects.years ago, Coish has photographed room, though Coish has probably After getting his subject comfort- Coish, recounting a time he sent a “It just happened that when Iover 60 couches throughout the already seen what it looks like be- able, Coish will work on setting up final photo to one of the subjects, reach out social media platforms itcity. The portraits go up on his web- fore. Since the project has gained their room so it reflects their per- who pointed out her face looked just happens to be that the peoplesite. Take a quick glance and you’ll attention, he’s had to become more sonalities. He’ll draw attention to better in another one. that respond and have interestingrealize they’re not just quick shoots, selective with picking people. Peo- unique pieces they have. Coish realized she was right, and spaces happen to be predominantlybut meticulously set up scenes. Each ple hoping to be picked have to that he liked her pick better. caucasian,” he said. Coish had postedshoot takes Coish about half a day, send in photos of their couches and He realized how “In the end I’m capturing this a callout for his project on the socialbetween packing his equipment, rooms so that Coish can see what many stories he had moment in their lives and their group Bunz.travelling and setting up. he has to work with. attached to that one space—you know a lot of these “I just haven’t had a lot of differ- He said the shortest part of the Though Coish doesn’t actually re- people will eventually move out of ent cultures reach out to me and it’sprocess is actually taking the photo. quire that you have a couch. piece of furniture this house and not own that couch super challenging to find people thatBut the prep work is entirely more “I look at it more like that essential anymore and honestly I think as fit the bill.”important for Coish. The open na- piece of furniture you use and that they’re older they’ll be able to look Coish said moving forward he’sture of the project means his sub- you spend a lot of your time on for Then he’ll take a bunch of photos, back at this time and remember working to find a wider variety ofjects aren’t necessarily models or ac- relaxing or socializing and all that working out different poses. When their lives.” people, and is hoping to address nottors, people that are used to being in stuff,” he said. He’s featured people it comes to the editing process, he’ll Coish said he has no intention of just different ethnicities and gen-front of a camera. on their beds or lounge chairs. usually end up picking out one or stopping the project. The plan is to ders, but different living situations, Coish is entirely aware that his What he does look for is some two from hundreds of photos. “hammer out” as many couches as classes and so on.project involves entering people’s in- sort of alluring aesthetic he can Coish said he picks the one where he can in 2019 and hopefully have “Toronto is such a culturallytimate spaces. To get them comfort- work with. Also pets! they look the most “comfortable” a gallery showing by 2020. Then diverse city, and I really want toable, he starts out by having them fill “I always love having pets in the for his final product, though he maybe a book. showcase that, I want to show allout a questionnaire about themselves. photos and I’m always more excited admits that sometimes he doesn’t “I’m in no rush, I want it to hap- walks of life.” Uncontracted work When Nicole Ireland interned in 2016 with a small music label, she was struck by how hard the full-time staff was working—barely taking vacation

is on the rise. time, eating three meals a day at their desks and being glued to phones that made a constant cacophony of sound as they rang all day. Not only that, but she says many of them were also working other jobs

Students are drowning. on the side. “And that’s when I realized that because they were a small label, they still had to supplement their income,” she says. “I kind of realized that chances are, I’m either not going to have a job in the industry, or it’s going to

This is the future be something that can’t sustain me completely.”

Now, she has dabbled in all kinds of independent work, from social media

design and photography reporting by

Elana Emer Julia Mastroianni 9management to opening online stores on contract through cross-stitching—a skill she learned After working like this for a couple of years, Kovak has made the decision to go to collegeas a hobby when she was 20 years old. to learn a trade instead: plumbing. He realized photography just won’t work for him. “It wasn’t The fifth-year creative industries student believes this kind of work has become more com- a career I could build financially. I couldn’t buy a house, I couldn’t realistically think aboutmon over the years partly because of the nature of her industry. “It’s just the project-based even starting a family,” Kovak says. And yet, various industries are becoming more reliant onnature of it. People will band together for a movie or releasing an album, but then once the workers to take on this lifestyle.thing is out, they don’t need help anymore.” The term “independent work” refers to any work where the time period

Fand amount of work are determined by the needs of the employer—andit’s on the rise. reelancing, theoretically, has a bright side for its participants: Statistics Canada counted 2.18 million temporary employees, or inde-pendent workers, in September 2017—more than double the number in “There’s always more flexible hours, the ability to choose projects or companies they’re passionate about, and the opportunity to work from al-September 2001. According to a Randstad survey of Canadian employersand employees, 85 per cent of companies anticipate pivoting to a more someone else most anywhere. That’s what drew fourth-year creative industries stu- dent Sierra Goulding to the work when she started freelancing as a“agile workforce” by 2025. In other words, these companies will eventuallyhire more temporary, on-demand workers and less full-time staff. who is going to makeup artist. Goulding can’t picture herself sitting in an office from nine to five, staring at a computer all day. “I just find it very draining. Nicole Cohen, University of Toronto communications professor and be willing to doauthor of Writers’ Rights: Freelance Journalism in a Digital Age, says that this I’m always dreaming up creative things that I can do. So I knew a cre- ative job was more for me.”kind of independent, precarious work is not new. She says, historically, the According to the 2013 United Way Toronto study, the single-earnergroups who have been at the frontlines of freelance work include women,workers of colour, immigrants and especially young workers. In Toronto, it for cheaper” male-breadwinner archetype started to shift in the 1970s. As women be- came more educated and started to take on a different role in the family,this is a reality: a 2013 study on employment precarity in the Greater To- they were hired for more temporary jobs in the service industry. Sinceronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), conducted by United Way Toronto, then, jobs have continued to shift from manufacturing to the service sec-found that young people, people of colour and new immigrants were more likely to be in tor.precarious work positions than secure work, such as a permanent, full-time job with benefits. Goulding started out by helping out with choreographers but has now expanded into wed- Mohammad Akbar is the Ontario regional director of the Canadian Freelance Union ding makeup, creative shoots and hopefully, in the future, fashion-related work. It’s the com-which advocates for freelancers in Canada by offering services such as insurance and griev- munity aspect of her work that drives Goulding. “I feel like if I was working in an office job, itance support. Akbar says that companies use the precarious nature of the work to their probably wouldn’t be something I would care about as much as my own work.”own benefit through the ability to cut their own costs. Freelance work serves an important A 2010 study on the effect of flexible working conditions on employee health found thatpurpose, he says, but employers are exploiting that rather than sticking to the principles working conditions that allow for increased worker control and choice—such as self-schedul-of what a freelance model should look like. “Freelance work is supposed to create a system ing—had a positive effect on health, including reduced heart rate and blood pressure, psycho-where they can engage in projects in a unique way whereas full time workers cannot. Em- logical stress and decreased tiredness. Notably, when the flexibility was employer-negotiatedployers are exploiting labor laws to work around, for example, giving workers benefits.” rather than employee-negotiated, those positive health effects were lessened or non-existent. Andrew Cash, the co-founder of the Urban Worker Project, says that But a work-life balance doesn’t acknowledge the precarity of freelanceit requires at least some element of privilege to make the decision to free- jobs where you can choose your own hours, but don’t know if you’ll belance in a resourceful, sustainable way. And since independent workers employed next month.have no protection under provincial or federal labour laws, there is nosafety net for these workers to land on if something happens to them. “Too many workers are a I Ryerson students certainly find themselves among those affected bythese flaws of the workstyle, struggling with the amount of resources it reland ran into a problem because of the lack of regulations early inrequires to keep it up. And while that’s the case, experts say we mighteventually get to a point where more of us must turn to this kind of work, bicycle accident her social media freelancing career. She now knows that her biggest mistake was not making contracts with her clients. There was nonot by chance or choice, but by a lack of other options. In May 2018, a report by FlexJobs reported that the temporary and con- away from security at all, and the next month they could just say to her, “Oh, we don’t need you anymore.”tract work force is seeing more than just typical freelance jobs on the rise, For this reason, Cash says companies have a role to play in makingsuch as designers and writers. Between May and July of 2016, the mostin-demand career fields for freelancers were medical and health, educa- poverty” various freelance industries better for the workers—employers will take advantage of the overlap by misclassifying workers who are technicallytion, project management, computer and IT, and accounting and finance. employees by law as independent contractors to avoid paying vacationA representative told The Globe and Mail that although this was mostly pay, sick days and other benefits.founded on American job postings, it is consistently represented in Canada as well. That being said, Cash also says it can be difficult to regulate misclassification when gov- “I was freelancing out of necessity and out of fear,” says Ireland. This will soon be the case ernments do so little to provide clear legislation around independent work. He illustratesfor many more people. this with two fictional private sector companies competing against one another. If one com- pany has six illegally unpaid interns, while the other trains and pays their new employees: “That company is going to look down the road at their competition and say, ‘Well this guy

I has got six unpaid interns and no one is doing anything about it and I’m getting killed, so I’m n a nightclub for two nights a week, Adam Kovak stays up until 2:30 a.m. He wakes up the going to do the same thing.’” next morning at 8:30 a.m. for work. Kovak does photography for the club as one of the Cash says the only way to improve the current situation for independent workers is to not many gigs he’s taken on as a freelance photographer. only create legislation that protects them, but to enforce it as well. “We could have the most He earned his post-graduate degree in 2014 from Humber College and was originally hired creative and progressive labour legislation in North America, but if governments aren’t goingto design newspapers for a couple of different publications as a full-time job. On the side, he to take it seriously and get behind it and put the resources into enforcement, they’re barelyworked on growing his photography business the whole time. He shot worth the paper they’re written on.”sports videos for athletes who wanted to get scholarships, and now does One of the main issues for independent workers under the law rightfreelance wedding photography along with the nightclub work. Shootingfor fun isn’t part of his schedule anymore, so his ideas never see daylight. “I was now is how they can access employment insurance (EI). EI covers insur- ance after losing a job, sickness, maternity and parental leave, compas- At his newspaper job, Kovak had benefits that he didn’t find himselfusing. But in hindsight, he wishes he had. “It’s something I haven’t re- freelancing out sionate care and family caregiver benefits. EI is available for self-employed workers, or someone who owns a business, but there are many limitationsally appreciated, because I’m young and I’m healthy and I don’t have anyhealth issues.” of necessity and to accessing EI as an independent worker. Access to pensions, supplemen- tary health benefits and the deliberate misclassification of workers are all Kovak also lacks a comfortable amount of resources to cover all the other issues independent workers must grapple with.extra costs that come with his gigs, such as paying for ads to market tonew clients. With those added costs, he originally was charging rates that out of fear” The last time Ireland experienced the stress of freelancing was winter of 2017, when she was at school full-time, had two part-time retail jobs andbarely made him a profit. He’s raised his prices since, but he also knows three social media clients. There was a constant need to be doing some-that he has to be competitive in an industry that has so many workers thing related to one of those jobs at any given time of the day.willing to do the same job. “There’s always someone else who is going to But she doesn’t want that to be the case anymore.be willing to do it for cheaper.” Whether employers intend to exploit their workers or not, to-do lists pile up for people Cash says that there are two types of independent workers, independent by choice and in- like Ireland.dependent by chance. She thinks of herself 10 years down the road and sees two possibilities: she’s either work- “Too many workers are a bicycle accident away from poverty, from the financial abyss,” Cash ing full-time at a company she loves or has opened her own shop for cross-stitching andsays. “They have no access to health and dental coverage, no access to a paid sick day, no access other crafts.to any kind of disability, short term or long term...there’s also no income bridging between The only certainty is that she won’t be freelancing.gigs.” According to the United Way Toronto study, precarious workers earn 46 per cent lessthan secure workers.10 SPORTS

The Rise of a Relentless Rhino

Yusuf Ali’s journey to Ryerson men’s basketball wasanything but easy. Libaan Osman has the storyIt was basketball season in Grade 6 to slowly falling out of the rotationfor Yusuf Ali. in the 2014-15 season. To make As he headed down the court, a matters worse, he was also becom-defender approached him. Ali knew ing homesick.that he could gain an advantage if he “Every other weekend, I was atbullied his way to the rim. And so home,” he said. “It wasn’t normalhe did. for a guy who’s going to St. Catha- “I used to run head down on rines... I missed my family a lot.”guys,” Ali said. “I headbutted guy Being a middle child of 10 siblings,on the court and they’re like ‘Rhino, he felt an obligation to be at homeyou’re spearing us.’” and help his parents with his younger With this moniker, Ali is known brothers. Between the homesicknessfor his veteran leadership and a will- and not genuinely enjoying his timeingness to sacrifice anything to win at Brock, Ali decided to leave the uni-while overcoming any obstacle that versity after his first year.comes his way. Once word got out that he was If you know him personally, you’ll no longer at Brock in 2015, headknow about his mantra: “risk it all.” coach Darrell Glenn and assistantAt first glance, it’s just a slogan. But coach Rami Arabi of Seneca College | PHOTO COURTESY: HUNG LEfor the 5’11” guard, it’s the only way reached out immediately.to live. It was a step down from the U over a million views on YouTube, much more than just a coach and flowers to my mom,” Ali said. “He’s Ali comes from one of the tough- SPORTS level, it was the perfect and his latest song “Half of Dis” cur- a player. not even a coach to me he’s moreest communities in the city in the opportunity to play close to home. rently has over 300,000. “A lot of what we do—we’re the like a father figure. To this day we’reLawrence West area, also known But the transition to Seneca wasn’t For Yusuf, everything was going underdogs in life,” McNeilly said, close, he’s a mentor to me. That’sas the ‘Jungle’; a place riddled with as smooth as Ali expected. Joining a great. Seneca was on the rise, head while holding back tears. “My rela- one guy I appreciate and will alwaysdrugs and gun violence. new squad where he felt as though coach Glenn and Rami received an tionship with Yusuf, I thought we have love for.” nobody took the game seriously, it opportunity to coach at the Uni- were both underdogs. When the in- Coming to a Ryerson team that “I headbutted guys became easy to fall into bad habits. versity of Prince Edward Island cident happened, I didn’t know what regularly competes for national on the court and The team finished 9-11 that (UPEI) and after such a successful to do, I didn’t know what to say. But titles, playing minutes weren’t year, losing seven out of their last second season, Ali was planning on it got us closer and I was able to tell guaranteed. But Ali embraced that they’re like ‘Rhino, nine games. But, a new precedent joining them. him that this what your brother challenge. you’re spearing us’” was set from the coaching staff af- “I was committed to UPEI. They would want you to do.” As the 2018-19 season went on, ter the season. got the job, I was doing well at Sen- Basketball was an outlet for Yu- he would not just earn his spot, but For Ali, a basketball career was a “The turning point was the sum- eca but then, unfortunately, that suf, allowing him to dedicate an he’d make a mark on the team.foregone conclusion when he found mer going into my second year,” Ali summer, my brother passed away.” entire season to Said. Every bucket, “In a week, he’ll make you feel likehis way onto HooptownGTA, a said. “I was missing workouts and Said Ali was murdered on July 31, every assist and every single win you’ve known him for five years,”website that posts the statistics of coach Glenn told me either you’re 2017. To this day, his murder re- was in his honour. fifth year guard, Jean-Victor Muka-Toronto’s top young players. going to come to every workout or mains unsolved. The team went undefeated, a ma said. “It’s just part of his person- At the end of his high school ca- you’re not going to be part of the To Yusuf, Said wasn’t only a perfect storybook ending that saw ality. He likes everybody included,reer at Vaughan Road Academy, Ali team. I knew how serious he was brother, but he was also the heart Seneca win its first national title. It there’s no separate cliques for him.”expected several offers. Unfortu- after that.” and soul of the family. was a year Yusuf will never forget, a People know him for putting thenately, he didn’t receive a single one. Weeding out the bad apples and Known as a funny, charismatic tribute to his younger brother. team before anything and putting He reached out to schools and turning the program into a basket- and extremely confident individu- “It’s part of the reason why I coach the needs and concerns of others be-participated in tryouts, but teams ball powerhouse, Seneca was on the al, Said was often the smallest but at the college level...it’s because of fore himself.weren’t giving him the recognition rise and Ali would take his game to played and talked like he was the these types of stories,” McNeillyhe thought he deserved. He later another level. biggest whenever he stepped onto a said. “Guys might not have even Every bucket, everytried out for the University of To- He was selected as an Ontario Col- basketball court. played basketball after high school, assist and everyronto’s basketball team, but was told leges Athletic Association (OCAA) Deciding to stay at Seneca to be considered themselves a failure ifthat he’d be a “redshirt”, which is all-star in 2018, leading the country in close with his family, those first few they played at our level but Yusuf single win was in hisusually given to someone to either assists while Seneca finished second in months were tough for Ali. Losing changed that perception. People are honourlengthen their eligibility or further their conference with a 17-3 record. one of the closest people to him, he starting to see his story and want tohone their skills. While Yusuf found success on found himself in a dark place, not start playing at this level.” “When we talk, he actually calls “I was just thrown off by it.” the court, his brothers were finding wanting to be in school anymore After such a triumphant third me to hear about my story, my day,” Ali had decided to take a year off their own. Ahmed Ali dropped 103 while constantly daydreaming about year at Seneca, Adeel Sahibzada, a Sahibzada said. “I always find thatand played for the Toronto Basket- points for John Polanyii Collegiate his brother. former assistant coach at Ryerson fascinating and unique about him.ball Academy in the summer. He’d Institute joining Denham Brown “I thought I knew what heart- (now at Daytona College) reached He’s more interested in other peopleplay well in his time with the camp, as the only Canadians to score 100- break and sadness was before,” he out to Ali about potentially joining than he is about telling other peoplewith his most notable performance plus points in a single game. said. “But you don’t know until you the Ryerson Rams. about himself even though he has socame against Seneca College, when With his career taking flight from lose someone that’s close to you and Not taking the offer seriously at much to share.”he dropped 33 points and caught the there, Ahmed now currently plays you’re never gonna see them again.” first and looking to return to Seneca That’s the image that Ali’s nameattention of multiple head coaches Division 1 basketball in the National Coming from a tough communi- for his final year, Yusuf began pon- conjures. To many, he’s a guy thataround the country. Collegiate Athletic Association’s ty, he had people in his ear expecting dering the idea of making the jump puts others first, an individual that Opportunity arose when Ali was (NCAA) Pac-12, starting at point him to seek revenge for his brother. back to U SPORTS. “Risk it all” once has shown strength in a time whenavidly recruited by then-Brock Bad- guard for Washington State. But that wasn’t the life Yusuf want- again came to mind. most would display weakness andgers men’s basketball head coach While Ahmed drops buckets, ed. His religious faith, support from Leaving behind teammates that the sheer desire to not let his short-Charles Kissi. With one of his best Ali’s other younger brother Hassan family and friends and knowing he had become brothers, it was extreme- comings define who he is.friends Johneil Simpson joining the also known as ‘Top5’ is carving out wasn’t alone helped keep him afloat. ly hard for Yusuf to tell McNeilly that “I got some bad cards,” he admits.program, it was a simple decision. his own path in music. Jay McNeilly had taken over as he was heading to Ryerson. “You know when you’re playing Not expecting much when he first One of the most well-known un- head coach at Seneca and was able “He would check up on me every cards, I didn’t get no aces and kingsgot there, the kid from Lawrence derground rap artists in the city, the to convince Yusuf to stay in school half hour of the day, he would call or some queens, but you gotta dealWest went from the starting lineup rapper has numerous songs with as their relationship flourished to my phone, text me, even brought with the cards that are given to you.” SPORTS 11

On the right track Rana: The

leader TeamBy Thomas Debost The roster has never been so filled up and coach Dell’Apa Canada needsRyerson University’s track and field couldn’t be prouder of how far itteam has come a long way since its has come. Bycreation just a few years back. This year, the team tried to Bryan A major factor of growth, not promote themselves early on. Meleronly for its roster size but also its “We had about 30 or 40 athletessuccess, has been the arrival of come and try out which made ushead coach Albert Dell’Apa, who think, ‘Wow this could work’, hetook over the team three and a half said. “And it was impressive to see This week, Jay Triano removedyears ago when it was in urgent so many interested in the program.” his name from consideration forneed of new management. One of the head coach’s proudest the role of head coach for the | PHOTO COURTESY: JAYA SAWHNEY A runner himself growing up, moments came in last year’s OUA Canada senior men’s basketballDell’Apa is a former Ontario Uni- 4 by 2 relay, when several runners squad, the track team needs to says Cheo Bannis, who is a member team. This ends Triano’s run atversity Athletics (OUA) all-star who didn’t usually compete for the travel off-campus in order to train of the men’s squad. the helm, which came to an endand top 10 runners in the country. team, stepped up in the absence and therefore compete. “When I think about how new after he was asked to reinterview As he looks to pass on his of multiple teammates who were “The added issue is that we have the team is, I feel like I am helping for his job.knowledge and experience to up- dealing with injuries. to commute to York University, build something at Ryerson.” And Now, as Team Canada looks forand-coming athletes at Ryerson, “Some of them stepped in and and that in and it of itself makes none of the runners or coaches are his replacement, the most logicalhe does so on his own time. put points up on the board that the time we put into each practice thinking of stopping there. hire has to be Ryerson Rams men’s “He came into this purely for didn’t usually run but that were insane”, Sawhney says. “By the basketball coach Roy Rana. Overthe fact that he has a passion there at the right time and took time you get there and back, each “Only the ones that any other candidate, Rana’s edgefor wanting to help”, said Jaya their chance,” Dell’Apa recalls. practice can take up to four hours really want it make it has to be that he’s been winningSawhney, a member of the The Rams added to their of your time.” for Canada, especially as of late.women’s team. “He just supports impressive OUA showing this This means, according to to practice” In December, Rana helpedus in general quite simply by being season, highlighted by their Dell’Apa, that “only the ones that secure Canada’s spot in the 2019so interested.” women’s 4 by 200 metre team, who really want it make it to practice “I think generally our goal was Fédération Internationale de Sawhney, who is in her fourth posted an all-time school record. and we see the ones that have stuck always to improve off of last year, Basketball (FIBA) World Cup inyear with the team, was only 10 However, being on the track and with the program and that have and get the exposure so people China, which will start in August.meters away from qualifying for field team has its fair share of tricky gotten better.” know more about the team.” Rana led them for the majority ofnationals before a hamstring injury aspects to have to work around. The Regardless, any young team With every season comes new their qualifier games, includingstopped her. first being very simple: Ryerson thatt’s willing to improve brings a challenges. All of the Rams pro- their final six, where they went However, with Dell’Apa’s help, does not own a track, and no, the sense of pride to all its members. grams have come such a long way 5-1 for a 10-2 finish, behindSawhney has continued to run at a RAC doesn’t count. “It honestly feels like I’m since their beginnings. The track leading scorer Phil Scrubb, a Uhigh level. Similarly to the Rams’ soccer continuing a legacy in the making”, and field team is no exception. SPORTS graduate. It marks Canada’s first appearance since the 2010 World fencing “special.” member of the team won an indi- Cup. If they place in the top seven

Getting to the point “It’s not just hand eye coordination,

it’s so strategic,” Kis-Toth said. “It’s 90 vidual gold medal. A Rams fencer wouldn’t grab gold this season, but among the 32 teams in China, which would include a top two per cent mental, 10 per cent physical. they still had success as first-year finish among the Americas, they’llAt Ryerson, fencing has emerged as one of the more suc- So, of course, you have to be fast, ag- fencer Alexander Zwegers captured earn an automatic bid to the 2020 ile, explosive and precise.” a bronze medal. Olympics—their first since 2000.cessful sports on the individual and team level Kis-Toth, who took home a “Instead of being a bunch of in- While the immediate future is silver medal in an individual event dividual fencers, the team feels like important, Team Canada needs to and a bronze in a team relay, also one giant team, we work hard to- focus on building a culture. says that the mental aspect is gether, we succeed together and we Whoever is at the helm will something that can truly separate fail together.” build off a promising future. Be- the individuals that are competing On average, the assumption is that hind coach Rana and RJ Barrett, with each other. “The difference the older one will beat the younger Canada won its first ever gold between fencers is how you let one. According to Kis-Toth, how- medal in an international basket- losing a point affect you mentally,” ever, it’s never a given since the ball event at the 2017 FIBA Un- she added. younger one could be more agile der-19 World Cup. and precise. Barrett, a destined NBA “We work, we The preparation for competitions lottery pick, will be the key to succeed and we fail is very time consuming. Fencing has Canada’s long term success. His a lot of waiting involved in it, as ref- relationship with Rana should be together” erees and judges have to go through a factor when general managerThis year, two members of the fencing team took home a medal from the OUA champi- the results to pair people up. Rowan Barrett, who’s also RJ’sonships | PHOTO COURTESY: CHRISTIAN BENDER Fifth-year aerospace engineering Due to the long wait times, fenc- father, decides who’ll lead Canada. student Raminderpreet Singh Kh- ers have to keep their mental game Possibly joining Barrett in redBy Patrick Tallon and skill that only a select few are aira, known as ’Rami’, also got into and focus in check. and white in the World Cup could able to exhibit. the difficulties of the sport. A fencer could be at the venue be Jamal Murray, Andrew WigginsWhen people think of university Despite having a range of players “Fencing is a niche sport,” Rami for 10 hours, yet only fence for 45 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.sports, it’s often the varsity sports of who can come in all shapes and said. “I think if people got the minutes total. Which, as Kis-Toth The pieces are there to create afootball, hockey, basketball and vol- sizes, the players don’t match up by awareness out there and got people says, forces you to keep your mental winning culture, and after whatleyball that come to mind. weight. Instead, they focus solely to come out, it would be enjoyable game in check. Rana’s done with the Rams in his With the exception of football, on age. even if they didn’t understand At the end of it all, both Kis-Toth 10 years with the team, he’s proventhese sports are followed religiously it. Ryerson fencing is just as and Rami expect the same thing that he knows how to build justat Ryerson, leaving other sports “It’s 90 per cent competitive as the hockey and for their sport. As they continue that. He’s taken the Rams fromwithout the attention or exposure mental, 10 per cent basketball team.” to succeed on campus, they expect a team that had only been to onethat they might deserve. One of This year, Ryerson’s fencing team fencing to rise up the charts—one national tournament in 1999, tothose sports happens to be fencing. physical.” has had consistent success. point at a time. now having participated in six of It’s a sport that tends to fly under They are a top contender to win “To me, that’s why fencing is such the last 10.the radar in Canadian university First-year RTA sport media the Ontario University Athletics a beautiful art,” Kis-Toth added. The final stage is where Canadasports. This Olympic sport requires student Natasha Kis-Toth says (OUA) title banner this year. Every “And what makes it so different also belongs, and Rana has provenimmense training, concentration there’s a lot that goes into making year, from 2015-2018, at least one compared to other sports.” he’s the one who can take us there.12 BIZ AND TECHDIY DIY

Building a flying car from scratch Building an ECG

By Emily Moore

Third-year biomedical engineering students have made heart stop-

ping projects come to life by building electrocardiograms (ECG) from scratch in the span of only four weeks. An ECG machine measures the activity of the heart by moni- toring the electrical signals the heart gives off. Putting electrodes on the skin sends the information to the machine and can detect heart disease and heart abnormalities. It’s essentially what makes any episode of Grey’s Anatomy that much more dramatic. From the various components to putting it all together, building an ECG machine can get tricky. You need to have the correct mea- surement of power and they must be put in correctly for the machine to pick up the electrical signals from the heart. If any of these compo- nents are off, the machine will measure a different part of the body and there is a risk of electrocution. The project was completed in Karthi Umapathy’s biomedical in- strumentation class. Students learn how to design medical devices that measure signals from living human beings, and how to design for electrical safety. If you close your eyes, it sounds like a regularRyerson Helium, a team of 30+ students, propose this digital rendering of their flying car | PHOTO COURTESY: RYERSON HELIUM classroom plopped itself into the middle of a hospital room—shuffling papers, chatty students and the sporadic beeping coming from aboutBy Izabella Balcerzak planning). From eager second years idea from scratch. Turning their a dozen monitors. to PhD students, many backgrounds digital drawings into a physical An ECG is relatively safe to work with and requires precision in allDreams of flying cars are closer to are involved to get this project off manifestation required metal cut- aspects of its design and build. As it turns out, there are online tutori-becoming a reality and Ryerson stu- the ground. ting, fitting pieces together and late als that can teach you how to build an ECG at home, but the first stepdents are the ones behind the wheel. Systems lead and third-year nights on campus. is “know your stuff.” Since January 2018, more than mechanical engineering student These weren’t the only sacri-30 students from five faculties are Sai Poosarla said that diversity in fices the team has made. Poosarla, The output will “lookpart of Ryerson Helium, the team student programs is crucial when for example, chose to take an extra like [peaks and valleys]”responsible for volunteering their engineers are the ones that got it year to focus more on the project.time into the project. They are en- started. “Engineers have a certain “To do something that you reallytering their VTOL (vertical take off way of doing things,” he said. “[For] like to do is a lot more rewardingand landing) vehicle into the GoFly a concept like this, we need diver- than school,” he said, adding that “It’s a long process—it takes all the courses that we [have taken] sochallenge, an international competi- sity [and] a lot more opinions from being a part of Helium will open up far [and] all the theory [that we have learned],” said Michael Shulman,tion sponsored by Boeing, with $2 different areas.” job opportunities. third-year biomedical engineering student who completed the lab.million in prizes up for grabs. Back in January, Ryerson Helium “We’re not just doing it because With the materials provided to them by the school, students choose released their half scale model at it’s cool,” said Kasa, who admits they what they need and begin to assemble their circuit. While building “We’re not the Student Learning Centre (SLC). get quite a few skeptics. “It’s feasible the circuit, they create an output for attaching electrodes to the body. Their VTOL was made out of materi- because it has real-world implica- The machine goes through a few rounds of testing to make sure the floating—we are als synonymous to what they hope to tions and applications.” electricity is working properly and that it is safe. When they have all rising from air” use for the real thing. Aside from getting support and of the components together “the TA will analyze and test the device Made of mostly fiberglass, the cross checking information with before [we] get to,” said Shulman. Just like a helicopter, the VTOL VTOL has an aluminum airframe different Ryerson departments The students are then able to test their devices on each other,is designed for urban transportation and the necessary electronics like and professors, Helium is part- and see if they designed their device correctly for maximum ac-in places where having a runway batteries, motors and propellers. nering with sponsors to help with curacy. When they get the correct assembly the output will “lookis inconvenient. Taking off from a Kasa explained that strength, struc- funding in exchange for their logo like [peaks and valleys], continue and look crisp [on the machine],”slightly smaller area, like a helipad ture-durability and lightweight printed on the car. “That’s how said Shulman.for instance, is said to help with materials are the key components you get sponsors—it’s not just that, Azin Mirzajavadkhan, a third-year biomedical engineering studentcongestion and the increasing num- of building something that will sus- ‘this thing could fly,’ it’s more than who also just completed the lab said, “the biggest takeaway [is] thatber of people moving to cities. tain itself in the air. that,” said Vanriel. “You need to be you have these small goals and you finally reach a big goal—which was The idea to join the competition Saprikin admits that their name able to fly, and then you need to like putting all these small components together and finally gettingbegan when Lior Saprikin, third- can be misleading as they actually be able to have people want to get the entire signal to work.”year aerospace engineering student don’t use helium to fly their ve- into the vehicle and play.” For her final project for the course, Mirzajavadkhan and her part-and current outreach lead, saw a hicle. Instead, their VTOL will be ner plan to create a circuit timer to use along with the ECG to mea-post about it online. He opened a dependent on batteries, much like sure heartbeats per minute.group chat with a few of his closest an electric car. “To do something that This class will move on to their final projects which sees them con-friends and asked if they wanted to “The whole idea is that helium is you really like to do is a tinue to build on their knowledge and create more measuring devices.commit their time for the next few lighter than air so it floats up,” said lot more rewarding thanyears and create something that Saprikin. “[But] we’re not floating— school”could change the world of transpor- we are rising from air.”tation as we know it. Design is a huge component of On one of the receiving ends was the flying car as it can help the user “We’re hoping that because wehis classmate, Kevin Kasa, who feel more comfortable, said Jordan built this strong foundation, wenow takes on the role as team cap- Vanriel, third-year aerospace and could build on top of it and keep ontain. Once more people joined the engineering student and user expe- working on it,” said Poosarla. “Soteam, Kasa realized they needed rience lead. Controls, dashboard and when we graduate, this will still bespecific individuals with specific displays need to be ergonomically something that we can move to-skill sets and so they began the re- easy-to-use because the audience in wards, depending on what happenscruitment process. mind is the average human. with our success and competition or The team is divided into seven “Since a lot of the controls are going anything else.”sub-teams, with five being technical to be semi-automatic, you need to be Ryerson Helium continues to(structure, propulsion, power sub, able to relax while the thing is taking work on the full-scale prototype,user experience, and guidance, navi- you to your destination,” said Vanriel. reaching out to sponsors, applyinggation and control) and two non The team said they hit challenges to grants and ultimately preparingtechnical (outreach and business all the time, especially starting their for their final case competition. In the span of only four weeks, students built ECGs | PHOTO: EMILY MOORE BIZ AND TECH 13

Rye Science Prof teams up with FCAD to fight cancer

Colliding science with the arts: Julia Mastroianni has the story on the women-led team researching surviving cancerous cellsMany biologists interested in drug gether,” Mazalek said. cancer. Sabatinos learned from a we bridge that gap? Can we use the that [the data] is useful, that actuallytreatment to save lives spend their For this project, Mazalek’s designs pancreatic cancer oncologist that technologies that she develops to un- makes my work better because I amtime watching out for death. But helped Sabatinos analyze the data by they don’t know ahead of time how derstand how to translate that?” thinking more clearly about it.”Ryerson biology professor Dr. comparing different chromatin and a tumor will respond to the drug. Mazalek’s involvement in this proj- Though her main research goal is toSarah Sabatinos is also interested in fibers through laying them out vi- Not only does the drug not work ect means that there is more focus on find out more about the timeline be-the survivors. sually across large wall screens and on some tumors, but when it does, that translation than is normally the tween initial sensitivity to a drug and “Sometimes in cancer, you give tabletop screens. “Humans are visual- the tumor may eventually develop a case for scientific research. Instead of subsequent resistance, Sabatinos alsothe drug initially and then the cells spatial beings, we tend to think by resistance to the drug. leaving the data in scientific jargon explained that there is a paradox theymutate, they acquire resistance and laying things out and spotting pat- And so her research took on a or complex numbers, Mazalek has have to be careful of in their work.then they come back and they can’t terns in them,” she said. new twist: determining which cells worked with Sabatinos to represent The drug affects the replicationbe treated,” Sabatinos said. She’s are sensitive to the drug, and which the research in engaging visuals. instability of cells, meaning that ifpart of a collaborative project with cells develop resistance. “What are the drug doesn’t kill everything, itRTA professor Dr. Ali Mazalek “How do we bridge the characteristics of those ones that starts to prime the tumour or cell’son chemotherapy drug treatment. that gap?” come back? And then is there a way “Humans are visual- system for additional change.They’re trying to determine which that we can prevent that, either by spatial beings” Sabatinos explained replicationcells survive, why, and how to ul- using a different drug or different instability is so tricky because it istimately prevent them from devel- At the same time, Sabatinos spoke timing?” Sabatinos said. what promotes mutation, but it isoping that resistance. to one of her grad students who was She also explained that though Sabatinos said this collabora- also what chemotherapy takes ad- Before coming to Ryerson in interested in working on something their research is directly related to tion between the scientific and the vantage of to kill unstable cells.2015, Sabatinos had been research- “clinically relevant.” She happened to cancer treatment, it would take a creative has impacted the way she She said chemotherapy is one ofing for years using yeast. She was have yeast strains with transgenes— collaboration with clinical oncolo- approaches her work. “You really the only treatments that works forresearching replication forks (the genes that altered the strands to re- gists to translate the research into have to challenge your preconcep- pancreatic cancer right now, and soarea where DNA replicates) in spond like human cells to drugs—in actual changes in treatment. tions of what matters in the sense it’s a delicate balance between hit-yeast, along with fork collapse, the the lab, along with a drug used fre- “That’s one of the things Ali [Maza- of data; why is this important?” she ting the cell when it’s at the pointname for the process in which mu- quently in treatment for pancreatic lek] and I are interested in, is how do said.” And if I can argue effectively of DNA replication, without caus-tations often occur. ing more mutation. “So this is what When Sabatinos met Mazalek, she we’re trying to understand, where isasked if Mazalek would work with that point [of balance], and does ither on her research to visualize the look the same, and can we predictdata. Mazalek specializes in finding what the outcome is?”ways to involve other senses to un- Sabatinos hopes this project canderstand data. This was instrumental eventually be transferred over intoto Sabatinos, who was working with mammalian cells to determine wheth-thousands of strands of DNA. er the research is applicable outside of Mazalek created an interactive yeast cells. They’ll also be collaborat-tabletop and a multi-touch wall ing with Dr. Susan Forsberg, a re-display so “users can grab bits of searcher in California, which Sabati-data and look at the data set, and nos said is a great asset considering allthen pick out bits of them that are their yeast research and data.then visualized on the large wall She emphasized that it’s all aboutdisplay in front of them,” she said. finding the right people who have The software is being used by the skills and want to work with you,other researchers to interact with and Forsberg and Mazalek were ex-the data. “This lets them both physi- actly that. “That’s a really neat thing,cally manipulate the data and also that the people with the right skillsshare it with each other to build a and data and tools to do this job justkind of shared mental model to- Ryerson biology professor Dr. Sarah Sabatinos works with surviving cancer cells | PHOTO COURTESY: CARRIE happen to be three women.” DUNCAN

Wonder women entrepreneurs in the workplace

By Alexandra Holyk interested in starting a business. Elize Shirdel is a Toronto-based The initiative is one of three that Through the HELM.life app, However, Statistics Canada’s re- entrepreneur and creator of the will be funded by the Ontario gov- moms with businesses that are lessThere is no question that female cords on privately-owned compa- Helping Everyday Life Moments ernment, with a total of $450,000 go- than five years old and employ few-entrepreneurs are constantly fight- nies show that, each year between (HELM.life) app (a branch of Date- ing toward the projects, collectively. er than six people are eligible for 50ing for a seat at the table. With the 2005 and 2013, 275,300 businesses night Babysitting). As a key member “I’m a big fan of this particular proj- hours of free caregiving.extra stress of childcare and work- were run by women compared to of the project, she hopes that the ect because it has such a direct impact Charlene Li, co-owner of Eat-place sexism in the male-dominated one million businesses owned and Childcare Support Pilot for Female on the lives of women entrepreneurs,” able Luxury Popcorn, applied forfield, it can be difficult to get down operated by men. Entrepreneurs will help entrepre- said Coralie D’Souza, Brookfield In- the grant and has yet to hear back.to business. Ryerson’s Brookfield In order to minimize this gap, neurial moms with easily-accessible stitute’s director of communications, She said she is very excited aboutInstitute for Innovation and Entre- the Brookfield Institute is partner- childcare, enabling them to grow events and community relations. the benefits that the pilot projectpreneurship strives to change that, ing with Ryerson University and their businesses guilt-free over the Though D’Souza isn’t a parent potentially entails for her company,providing a grant to a program that Datenight Babysitting—an app that next fourteen months. herself, she knows many entre- mentioning the flexibility entrepre-will benefit female entrepreneurs connects families with local and “Childcare is such a huge barrier preneurial moms who have great- neurial moms can be provided.across the province. company-approved caregivers—to to female entrepreneurs,” Shirdel ly benefited from the Childcare “I feel like something like this just In the last decade, the number fund the Childcare Support Pilot said in an interview with CBC To- Support Pilot for Female Entre- gives moms that option of choosingof Canadian female entrepreneurs for Female Entrepreneurs. The ronto. By giving women in busi- preneurs. “It can alleviate a really to stay home and take care of theirhas been on the rise. According to program will receive a grant to ini- ness the babysitting help they need tough day,” said D’Souza. “Even if child but at the same time givinga 2016 Global Entrepreneurship tiate free childcare for female en- through the Childcare Support Pilot you just need time to think, you them the flexibility of running theirMonitor (GEM) Canada Report, trepreneurs and explore the chal- for Female Entrepreneurs, women- can hire a babysitter through this own business, knowing that if theynearly 85 percent of the women lenging aspects women in business led businesses are expected to flour- program to give yourself guilt-free ever needed help at any given time...surveyed indicated that they were face on a daily basis. ish creatively and last longer. time away.” there’s an option.” 14 COMMUNITIES

Ryerson is Canada’s Best Diversity Employer...again?

By Heidi Lee that besides the Student Learning Centre and the Mattamy AthleticAfter Ryerson’s fifth award as Centre, Ryerson is not accessibleCanada’s Best Diversity Employers for students and staff with mobility(CBDE), past events in the last few challenge—especially Kerr Hall.years question whether the school The elevator outage at the Rog-deserves it. ers Communications Centre back CBDE is a national competition in October worsened accessibilityorganized by Mediacorp Canada on campus and again, the school didInc. and The Globe and Mail to not give any notice in advance.award inclusive workplaces for Other than the school’s effort onwomen, visible minorities, persons fostering an inclusive environmentwith disabilities, Indigenous peoples for members with disabilities andand LGBTQ+ identifying people. Black staff, CBDE highlighted Ry- Mediacorp did not respond to erson’s plan on raising Aboriginalcomment in time for publication. awareness. CBDE cites Ryerson initiatives Indigenous staff and faculty mem-like the annual Viola Desmond bers only made up one per cent ofAwards and Bursary. This presti- all Ryerson employees in 2016, ac-gious award recognizes the contri- cording to the 2015-2016 Employeebutions of four Black female mem- Diversity Self ID Report.bers at Ryerson as a part of the Black In February 2018, the school prom-History Awareness series. But, Ry- ised to hire six new Indigenous facul-erson has already been recognized | PHOTO: ELANA EMER ty members in response to Ryerson’sfor these initiatives in 2017. Truth and Reconciliation report. Black Faculty and Staff Community there’s no way to exactly measure son has been recognized since 2015 Monica McKay, Ryerson’s director of Network, said Ryerson terminated diversity in the workplace. and continues to be cited on the Aboriginal Initiatives, previously told Diverse hiring does not her after her doctor sent a medical “The method we have to mea- CBDE initiative highlights. The Eye that there is still a long way to equal to embodying report of her health condition, The sure diversity is one-dimensional What isn’t mentioned is the Stu- go to reach their goal. social justice Eye previously reported. because it is usually asking an indi- dent Learning Centre’s (SLC) fail- Mustafa Koç, co-chair of Immi- Josh Lamers, the co-founder of vidual to identify their sexual orien- ing grade in accessibility for visu- grant Employees Community Net- the Black Liberation Collective at tation, ethnic identity or religion,” ally impaired students by disability work and sociology professor at Ry- Ryerson, said diverse hiring does said George. advocate David Lepofsky. The sud- erson, said there are always tensions According to the 2015-2016 Em- not equal to embodying social Access Ryerson was cited for why den closure of Gould Street with- and various forms of inequality inployee Diversity Self ID Report, justice. “Just because Ryerson hires Ryerson is a top diversity employer. out earlier notice created another the workplace.five per cent of Ryerson employees someone [racialized], doesn’t mean This was also cited when they won barrier for staff and students with “Employee networks like us ex-identified as Black. Earlier this year, it wants the person to change how the award in 2017. This campus- disabilities. ist to cherish and protect diversity,”Ryerson fired Black staff member the institution functions,” said wide initiative aims to remove and The Self-ID Report showed six said Koç. “If we have enough re-Carol Sutherland while she was still Lamers. prevent barriers for every Ryerson per cent of Ryerson employees iden- sources and a better understandingon medical leave. Usha George, a professor from member with disabilities, according tified as a person with disability in of each other, it will be easier to Sutherland, founder of Ryerson the School of Social Work, said to its official website. Access Ryer- 2016. The Eye previously reported solve these problems.”

Latinx community discuss settlement in Canada

By Lidia Abraha solve it myself.” things, and accept that I now live most people would take for granted. event organized by the Tri-Mentor- This event was a conclusion to here with two identities merging “Honestly connections is what ing Program this year, there will beFaculty, alumni and staff discussed their ongoing series of Latinx com- within each other.” keeps you motivated. Friendships more in the fall.how to overcome the challenges munity events for the year. Julia Batista said she was in- are what keep you motivated... “They’re able to mentor themof settling in Canada from Latin Earlier events discussed topics terested in the event because the When you don’t have those connec- and find support and apply strate-American countries. on how religion affects society in panelists had intersectional back- tions it can be really lonely experi- gies they applied when they came The panel, called Latinx Group Men- Latin America, and intersectional- grounds. “The thing that stood ence,” said Rodriguez. to Canada so that it will be an easiertoring: Growth & Settlement in Canada, ity and privilege. out to me was the range of back- Although this is the last Latinx transition,” said Rodriguez.was organized by the Ryerson Tri- grounds even within one person…Mentoring Program in collabora- You’re a part of many identities andtion with the Organization of Latin “I wanted many communities.”American Students (OLAS) and the to provide Rodriguez said that this was aInternational Student Support. a sense of good opportunity to tune into the Panelists included Maricruz Ro- community” multicultural experience from Latinxdriguez, a mentoring facilitator for community members. “As interna-the Tri-Mentoring Program, Dong- tional students and newcomers to theYow Hsieh, a Ryerson alumni, Fadi country, especially youth, they needLayyous, a current student and Ar- Sofia Ontiveros, the organizer and support they need to know they’resenio Andrade, a Latin dance in- second-year performance dance stu- not the only ones experiencing thesestructor at Ryerson. dent, said that she wanted the next settlement barriers,” she says. They each discussed their unique event to focus on immigration andexperience migrating to Canada. how immigration plays a role in yourHsieh was born in Canada, but grew life based on where you come from. “Connections [are]up in Paraguay with Chinese parents. “I wanted to provide that sense what keep you He recalls having a hard time reg- of community on campus,” said motivated”istering as a student and not know- Ontiveros. “This is my second yearing who to turn to for little things, in Canada coming from Mexico. Itlike how to fix his water pipes. was really hard to transition into One of the topics discussed by “I would put tape around it,” here…I had to unlearn many things the panelists was the importance of | COURTESY OF TRI-MENTORING PROGRAMHsieh said as he laughed with the and let go of certain people back making connections as a newcomer. Tri-Mentoring program organized their final Latinx community event for the year andcrowd. “For emergencies I had to home, and disattach from certain Rodriguez said that’s something discussed the experience of resettlement for Latinx immigrants THE BEACH BUM SECTION 15

This is everything you need for the summer break

SUMMER ENTERTAINMENTCan you spot the differences??? Percy Jackson and the off-key thief We sent two editors to see The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical in Toronto and we might have broken them in the process

Season’s greetings Ryerson! This is it: The last contest. This is the last time I will test your mental capacity andbequeath you gift cards for your work. This has been a joy to be gamemaster as part of this job. While I’ll miss themessages from that one nursing student whenever I change the contest to something non-Sudoku, it’s time to endthis. What better way to end it than a game made for six-year-olds? This week we’ve got your end-of-the-yearbeer costs covered with a $25 Metro gift card. Try enjoying the game, I’m very excited to see how many of you findall the differences and hate me for it. Have a lovely exam season, Ryerson. I wish you all the best.

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Summer working that won’t be a blast...

ment opportunity. Unpaid Internships: There is no bullshit in adult life quite like working solely for the experience. If anyone wanted to work for free, PHOTO | KHALED BADAWI my Nan’s lawn needs a good cut. At Everyone I know has read Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The least you’ll get some lemonade and Lightning Thief as a kid, it was the classic story of a teenager cookies out of the ordeal of working discovering his true power and becoming a hero to his family for exposure in the sun. and friends. Ram Ganesh’s Lawyer: Sure, he The musical is in town and you should go see it as soon as would be able to pay you well, but possible. If you like plays that feel like they are based off the you’d be fighting an uphill battle all movie that was based off the book, go see this one. summer long. Plus, court is much Regardless of a viewer’s age, this musical will feel like a fever more exciting when you’re binge- dream, so it is recommended to bring another human being to watching Law & Order. avoid such a dilemma. ILLUSTRATION | ISABLLE ESPALDON Recruiters on Gould Street: No, For those who are unaware, the musical is all about the ancientBy Zachary Roman ery parent complain about the high I don’t want to join your window- Greek gods in the modern world and their half-human kids prices when their kid puts 27 gummy washing co-op, I want to go to my called demigods. The play takes us into the lives of some of theA summer job can make or break worms on their froyo. We suggest class. No, I won’t just take your flyer. I demigods as they complete a quest to stop a war between gods.the season—and your soul. Be care- watching any HGTV show and listen really don’t want anything to do with Moments of acting in the play are ripe with overdramatic andful when you’re looking for one, to all the complaining kids there, you you. Can you please leave me alone?! angsty conversation. Lines like “things couldn’t be worse whenor you could end up wasting away can learn a lot about your patience. Park Ranger: When you’re not your parents run the universe,” are delivered with the samethe best months of the year in a pit Youth Sports Referee: The hor- cleaning the worst-smelling camp energy Arnold Schwarzenegger put into saying, “Come with meof despair. So here are 10 jobs you rors of retail pale in comparison to bathrooms in the world, you’re if you want to live,” as the Terminator.don’t want to do if you value your the rage unleashed at referees on getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. The cast has a unique energy, with one actor who played aremaining sanity. the job. Yes, Karen, that was a pen- I love nature and even I don’t get centaur constantly kicking his legs above his head whenever heSummer Staff at Ryerson Uni- alty, your kid picked up the soccer the appeal. wanted to show he had horse legs.versity: If you have the gumption ball and threw it into the net. Over- Mohamed Lachemi’s Coffee The special effects were the moment I signed off on the playto stay on campus all year then competitive sports parents are the Table: Starting salary for this posi- being anything more than a joke. Classic monsters like themore power to you. But no way worst and if you disagree then you tion is $2,000 a month cash. How- Minotaur was reduced to a large puppet covered in smoke, andI’m spending one more second here are an over-competitive parent. ever, staying in a table position for Medusa was just an actor in a bald cap with plastic snakes gluedthan I have to. Wherever you find Weed Dealer: It’s legal now so 16 hours a day is really hard on the onto them.employment here (godspeed, my you’ll eventually lose territory and hands and knees and I’m starting to There should be a warning before you get tickets that if youfriend) the air conditioning never profits to the Amazon drones. wonder if it’s even legal. Thinking sit in the front six rows, you will be covered with toilet paper.works and you’ll be the only one not Dog Walker: Everyone loves dogs, back on it, I’m kind of weirded out When the cast acts out a massive wave crashing down, they picklooking refreshed when the next se- until there’s eight of them at once to be honest. Wouldn’t recommend up two leaf blowers hooked up with rolls of toilet paper in themester comes around. chasing a squirrel, dragging you on this to a friend. front and shoot them out over the audience. I wish I was joking.Menchies Frozen Yogurt: Not a wild squirrel chase. You’ll need to But we hope this list helps you in I loved seeing this musical, but it’s a lot like seeing a Michaelonly will you be insanely busy for pick up metric fuck-tons of dog shit, your job search this summer. With Bay movie. It’s loud and exciting but once the lights of the lobbyyour whole shift all summer, you’ll so despite how cute the neighbours enough luck, maybe your next job hit you, you’ll sigh and realize how much of your evening you’llalso have to listen to each and ev- Shih Tzu is, best skip this employ- can make the list next year! never get back.16